Objective To discuss the clinical efficacy and safety of bilateral internal iliac artery Fogarty balloon occlusion in uterine curettage for patients with cesarean scar pregnancy(CSP).Methods The clinical data of a total of 80 CSP patients,who were admitted to the Fuyang People's Hospital of China between January 2021 and September 2022 to receive treatment,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the observation group(n=40)and the control group(n=40).For the patients of the observation group,the hysteroscopic uterine curettage was carried out under the situation of bilateral internal iliac artery Fogarty balloon occlusion and during the operation the internal iliac artery was intermittently blocked.The embryo was removed,and the hemostasis was accomplished by electrocoagulation or surgical suture.For the patients of the control group,the hysteroscopic uterine curettage was performed within 1-2 days after uterine artery embolization(UAE).The digital subtraction angiography(DSA)fluoroscopy time,body surface radiation dose,blood loss during uterine curettage,time spent for uterine curettage,length of hospital stay,and postoperative follow-up results were compared between the two groups.Results Successful uterine curettage was accomplished and the uterus was retained in all the patients.In the observation group,no balloon-related complications occurred.In the control group,all the 40 patients developed different degrees of fever,pain at uterine area,and other post-embolization symptoms after UAE.In the observation group and the control group,the DSA fluoroscopy time was(9.2±1.1)seconds and(1 273.6±141.1)seconds respectively,the body surface radiation dose was(7.7±0.8)mGy and(1 503.8±101.8)mGy respectively,the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(both P＜0.05);the blood loss during uterine curettage was(30.3±14.7)mL and(27.5±13.2)mL respectively,the time spent for uterine curettage was(41.6±16.2)min and(42.8±15.0)min respectively,the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant(both P＞0.05);the length of hospital stay was(6.0±0.7)days and(7.3±0.8)days respectively,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).All patients were followed up for more than 3 months,the time of β-hCG turning to negative,time of vaginal bleeding,time of menstruation returning to normal,and patient satisfaction rate in the observation group were(21.1±2.4)days,(8.2±1.1)days,(29.5±2.2)days and 95.0%(38/40)respectively,which in the control group were(24.6±3.3)days,(13.6±2.6)days,(46.7±7.3)days and 67.5%(27/40)respectively,the differences in the above indexes between the two groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion In performing uterine curettage for CSP patients,both bilateral internal iliac artery Fogarty balloon occlusion and UAE can significantly reduce the intraoperative blood loss,but bilateral internal iliac artery Fogarty balloon occlusion is superior to UAE in reducing radiation dose,in shortening the patient's hospital stay,the time of β-hCG turning to negative,the time of vaginal bleeding and the time of menstruation returning to normal,and in improving the patient satisfaction rate.

Objective To measure the abdominal muscle composition of maintenance dialysis patients using quantitative computed tomography(QCT)and to analyze its relationship with abdominal aortic calcification(AAC).Methods The abdominal CT data of 193 maintenance dialysis patients were analyzed retrospectively and their clinical data were collected.The abdominal muscle composi-tion,including muscle area and muscle fat area,was measured at the middle level of L3 vertebral by QCT.The abdominal aortic calcifica-tion scores(AACs)were calculated using the Agatston method.The groups were grouped according to the quartiles of AACs,and differences in muscle area,muscle fat area and their associated variables were compared between the four groups.The relationship between abdominal muscle composition and AAC was assessed using Spearman rank correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis.Results AACs were positively correlated with age,male,dialysis age,diabetes,hypertension,and abdominal muscle fat area(r=0.555,0.172,0.192,0.348,0.335,0.358,all P<0.05),while no significant correlation was found with abdominal muscle area.A partial correlation analysis controlling for age,sex,dialysis age,hypertension and diabetes showed that AACs were still positively correlated with abdominal muscle fat area(r=0.183,P=0.012).Conclusion Abdominal muscle fat area in maintenance dialysis patients is positively associ-ated with the degree of AAC,and high abdominal muscle fat area is a risk factor for AAC.Enhanced muscle exercise may prevent the risk of vascular calcification in dialysis patients.

This paper summarized Professor LI Yueqing's clinical experience in treating prostate cancer by stages from the perspective of deficiency and stasis. It is believed that the onset of prostate cancer is due to kidney deficiency， while blood stasis is the core pathogenesis， and dampness-heat， phlegm-turbid， and cancer toxins are the key pathological factors in the progression of the disease. The pathogenesis in the early stage of the disease is kidney qi depletion and dampness， heat and phlegm coagulation； in the middle stage， it is spleen and kidney depletion， phlegm coagulation and blood stasis； and in the late stage， the pathogenesis changes into yin deficiency and essence depletion， and stasis-turbid toxin obstruction. For treatment， the basic principle is to supplement and boost kidney qi， enrich and nourish the kidney yin. The main treatment methods are draining dampness， dissolving phlegm， dispelling stasis， clearing heat and resolving toxins， and the method of invigorating blood and dispelling stasis runs through the whole course of treatment. In the early stage， radical treatment is mainly used， and Longshe Yangquan Decoction （龙蛇羊泉汤） with modifications is supplemented to clear and drain dampness and heat. In the middle stage， androgen deprivation therapy is the basic treatment， and Bushen Tongqiao Decoction （补肾通窍汤） with modifications is used in combination to nourish the spleen and kidney， dissolve phlegm and dispel stasis. In the late stage， Dabuyin Pills and Liuwei Dihuang Pills （大补阴丸合六味地黄丸） with modifications is mainly used to enrich yin and supplement essence， resolve toxins and dissolve stasis， and prevent cancer recurrence.

Objective To construct a prediction model for lumbar fracture in patients with osteoporosis(OP)based on lumbar bone mineral density measured by quantitative computed tomography(QCT)and bone metabolism indicators.Methods A total of 52 patients with OP and lumbar fracture(the fracture group)and 104 patients with OP without lumbar fracture(the non-fracture group)were selected as study subjects.The correlation between lumbar bone mineral density measured by QCT and serum procollagen type I C-propeptide(P1CP),N-terminal mid-fragment of osteocalcin(N-MID)and beta collagen degradation products(β-CTX)was analyzed.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify influencing factors of lumbar fracture.A prediction model was constructed and its predictive value was analyzed.Results Compared with the non-fracture group,the proportions of females and patients with fall history,β-CTX level and vitamin D/calcium medication history were higher in the fracture group,and lumbar bone mineral density measured by lumbar QCT,P1CP and N-MID levels were lower(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis found that lumbar bone mineral density measured by QCT was positively correlated with serum levels of P1CP and N-MID,and negatively correlated with β-CTX(r=0.523,0.506,-0.536,P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis found that higher lumbar bone mineral density measured by QCT,P1CP,N-MID and history of taking vitamin D/calcium were protective factors for lumbar fracture,and igher β-CTX level was a risk factor(P＜0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of the prediction model constructed based on Logistic regression analysis results for predicting lumbar fracture were 84.62%and 97.12%.The area under the curve was 0.926(95%CI:0.873-0.962).The prediction model had good calibration,and the agreement rate was 0.910.Conclusion OP patients with higher levels of QCT,P1CP and N-MID,and lower level of β-CTX have lower risk of lumbar fracture.Vitamin D and calcium can effectively prevent the occurrence of lumbar fracture in OP patients,especially in women.

Objective To investigate the impact of dexamethasone(DEX)on diaphragmatic atrophy caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)and its correlation with diaphragmatic protein metabolism.Methods Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly assigned to control,ARDS model,low-dose DEX,and high-dose DEX group,with each group consisting of five rats.ARDS was induced in the rats by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)at 4 mg/kg.Conversely,intratracheal saline was administered to the control group at 2 mL/kg.Following the induction of the model,an intraperitoneal injection of DEX at 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 was administered to the low-dose DEX group.Conversely,DEX at 5 mg·kg-1·d-1 was administered to the high-dose group for 7 consecutive days.Subsequently,on the eighth day of the experiment,the diaphragmatic weight of all rats was measured.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was utilized to assess the mRNA expression of interleukins(IL-1β,IL-18)in each group.Western blotting was employed to determine the protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65,NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1,Gasdermin D(GSDMD),myosin heavy chain 2(Myh2),and F-box protein 32(Fbxo32).Additionally,immunohistochemistry was utilized to evaluate the ratio of fast to slow muscle fibers in the diaphragm.Results The ARDS model group showed significant reductions in body weight,diaphragm weight,fast muscle fibers,and Myh2 protein expression compared to the control group[body weight(g):266±17 vs.292±15,diaphragm weight(g):0.77±0.02 vs.0.92±0.08,fast muscle fibers:(74±1)%vs.(78±3)%,Myh2 protein expression(Avalue):0.75±0.07 vs.0.95±0.05,all P<0.05].Conversely,significant increases were observed in the expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA,slow muscle fibers,and the proteins NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,Fbxo32[IL-1β mRNA(IL-1β/GAPDH):2.2±0.3 vs.1.0±0.2,IL-18 mRNA(IL-18/GAPDH):2.3±0.3 vs.1.0±0.3,slow muscle fibers:(26±1)%vs.(22±3)%,NF-κB p65 protein expression(A value):0.40±0.15 vs.0.17±0.05,NLRP3 protein expression(A value):0.51±0.05 vs.0.27±0.08,caspase-1 protein expression(A value):0.54±0.12 vs.0.30±0.19,GSDMD protein expression(A value):0.40±0.12 vs.0.20±0.05,Fbxo32 protein expression(A value):0.51±0.15 vs.0.33±0.08,all P<0.05].Compared with the ARDS group,both low and high doses of DEX were found to further reduce body weight,diaphragm weight,fast muscle fibers,and Myh2 protein expression,and further increase the expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA,slow muscle fibers,and the proteins NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,Fbxo32,with the changes in the high dose DEX group being more significant than those in the low dose group[body weight(g):198±14 vs.222±16,diaphragm weight(g):0.57±0.04 vs.0.68±0.04,fast muscle fibers:(56±5)%vs.(69±2)%,Myh2 protein expression(A value):0.29±0.16 vs.0.57±0.15,IL-1βmRNA expression:5.6±1.4 vs.3.3±0.6,IL-18 mRNA expression(IL-18/GAPDH):5.8±1.2 vs.3.9±0.6,slow muscle fibers:(44±5)%vs.(31±2)%,NF-κB p65 protein expression(A value):0.87±0.04 vs.0.70±0.07,NLRP3 protein expression(A value):0.75±0.08 vs.0.63±0.04,caspase-1 protein expression(A value):0.99±0.06 vs.0.82±0.08,GSDMD protein expression(Avalue):0.85±0.11 vs.0.61±0.10,Fbxo32 protein expression(Avalue):1.00±0.10 vs.0.78±0.12,all P<0.05].Normal muscle fiber structure was revealed by microscopic observation in the control group,clear fiber separation in the ARDS model group,and disordered muscle fiber arrangement with structural distortion was noted in both low and high-dose DEX groups.Conclusion Prolonged administration of DEX may worsen diaphragmatic atrophy induced by ARDS,possibly by promoting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and cell pyroptosis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the predictive performance of non-contrast CT (NCCT) signs for hemorrhagic growth after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) when stratified by onset-to-imaging time (OIT). Materials and Methods: 1488 supratentorial ICH within 6 h of onset were consecutively recruited from six centers between January 2018 and August 2022. NCCT signs were classified according to density (hypodensities, swirl sign, black hole sign, blend sign, fluid level, and heterogeneous density) and shape (island sign, satellite sign, and irregular shape) features. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between NCCT signs and three types of hemorrhagic growth: hematoma expansion (HE), intraventricular hemorrhage growth (IVHG), and revised HE (RHE). The performance of the NCCT signs was evaluated using the positive predictive value (PPV) stratified by OIT. Results: Multivariable analysis showed that hypodensities were an independent predictor of HE (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] of 7.99 [4.87–13.40]), IVHG (3.64 [2.15–6.24]), and RHE (7.90 [4.93–12.90]). Similarly, OIT (for a 1-h increase) was an independent inverse predictor of HE (0.59 [0.52–0.66]), IVHG (0.72 [0.64–0.81]), and RHE (0.61 [0.54– 0.67]). Blend and island signs were independently associated with HE and RHE (10.60 [7.36–15.30] and 10.10 [7.10–14.60], respectively, for the blend sign and 2.75 [1.64–4.67] and 2.62 [1.60–4.30], respectively, for the island sign). Hypodensities demonstrated low PPVs of 0.41 (110/269) or lower for IVHG when stratified by OIT. When OIT was ≤ 2 h, the PPVs of hypodensities, blend sign, and island sign for RHE were 0.80 (215/269), 0.90 (142/157), and 0.83 (103/124), respectively. Conclusion Hypodensities, blend sign, and island sign were the best NCCT predictors of RHE when OIT was ≤ 2 h. NCCT signs may assist in earlier recognition of the risk of hemorrhagic growth and guide early intervention to prevent neurological deterioration resulting from hemorrhagic growth.

Tumors in which the microenvironment is characterized by lack of immune cell infiltration are referred as "cold tumors" and typically exhibit low responsiveness to immune therapy. Targeting the factors contributing to "cold tumors" formation and converting them into "hot tumors" is a novel strategy for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy. Adenosine, a hydrolysis product of ATP, accumulates with a significantly higher concentration in the tumor microenvironments compared with normal tissue and exerts inhibitory effects on tumor-specific adaptive immunity. Tumor cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and T cells express abundant adenosine receptors on their surfaces. The binding of adenosine to these receptors initiates downstream signaling pathways that suppress tumor antigen presentation and immune cell activation, consequently dampening adaptive immune responses against tumors. Adenosine down-regulates the expression of major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ and co-stimulatory factors on dendritic cells and macrophages, thereby inhibiting antigen presentation to T cells. Adenosine also inhibits ligand-receptor binding and transmembrane signaling on T cells, concomitantly suppressing the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines and impairing T cell activation. Furthermore, adenosine hinders effector T cell trafficking to tumor sites and infiltration by inhibiting chemokine secretion and KCa3.1 channels. Additionally, adenosine promotes the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines, increases immune checkpoint protein expression, and enhances the activity of immunosuppressive cells, collectively curbing cytotoxic T cell-mediated tumor cell killing. Given the immunosuppressive role of adenosine in adaptive antitumor immunity, several inhibitors targeting adenosine generation or adenosine receptor blockade are currently in preclinical or clinical development with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapies. This review provides an overview of the inhibitory effects of adenosine on adaptive antitumor immunity, elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, and summarizes the latest advances in application of adenosine inhibition strategies for antitumor immunotherapy.
Humans ; Adenosine/pharmacology* ; T-Lymphocytes ; Adaptive Immunity ; Cytokines ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective:To develop and validate a nomogram model for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on preoperative enhanced computed tomography imaging features and clinical data.Methods:The clinical data of 210 patients with HCC undergoing surgery in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from May 2018 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 172 males and 38 females, aged (59±10) years old. Patients were randomly divided into the training group ( n=147) and validation group ( n=63) by systematic sampling at a ratio of 7∶3. Preoperative enhanced computed tomography imaging features and clinical data of the patients were collected. Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the risk factors for HCC with MVI, and a nomogram model containing the risk factors was established and validated. The diagnostic efficacy of predicting MVI status in patients with HCC was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC) of the subjects in the training and validation groups. Results:The results of multifactorial analysis showed that alpha fetoprotein ≥400 μg/ml, intra-tumor necrosis, tumor length diameter ≥3 cm, unclear tumor border, and subfoci around the tumor were independent risk factors predicting MVI in HCC. A nomogram model was established based on the above factors, in which the area under the curve (AUC) of ROC were 0.866 (95% CI: 0.807-0.924) and 0.834 (95% CI: 0.729-0.939) in the training and validation groups, respectively. The DCA results showed that the predictive model thresholds when the net return is >0 ranging from 7% to 93% and 12% to 87% in the training and validation groups, respectively. The CIC results showed that the group of patients with predictive MVI by the nomogram model are highly matched with the group of patients with confirmed MVI. Conclusion:The nomogram model based on the imaging features and clinical data could predict the MVI in HCC patients prior to surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of curcumin on renal mitochondrial oxidative stress, nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NF-κB/NLRP3) inflammatory body signaling pathway and tissue cell injury in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: A total of 24 specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, ARDS model group, and low-dose and high-dose curcumin groups, with 6 rats in each group. The ARDS rat model was reproduced by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 4 mg/kg via aerosol inhalation. The control group was given 2 mL/kg of normal saline. The low-dose and high-dose curcumin groups were administered 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg curcumin by gavage 24 hours after model reproduction, once a day. The control group and ARDS model group were given an equivalent amount of normal saline. After 7 days, blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava, and the levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The rats were sacrificed, and kidney tissues were collected. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by ELISA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was detected using the xanthine oxidase method, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by colorimetric method. The protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), caspase-3, NF-κB p65, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Renal cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The morphological changes in renal tubular epithelial cells and mitochondria were observed under a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ARDS model group exhibited kidney oxidative stress and inflammatory response, significantly elevated serum levels of kidney injury biomarker NGAL, activated NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, increased kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate, and renal tubular epithelial cell damage and mitochondrial integrity destruction under transmission electron microscopy, indicating successful induction of kidney injury. Following curcumin intervention, the injury to renal tubular epithelial cells and mitochondria in the rats was significantly mitigated, along with a noticeable reduction in oxidative stress, inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, and a significant decrease in kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate, demonstrating a certain dose-dependency. Compared with the ARDS model group, the high-dose curcumin group exhibited significantly reduced serum NGAL levels and kidney tissue MDA and ROS levels [NGAL (μg/L): 13.8±1.7 vs. 29.6±2.7, MDA (nmol/g): 115±18 vs. 300±47, ROS (kU/L): 75±19 vs. 260±15, all P < 0.05], significantly down-regulated protein expressions of HIF-1α, caspase-3, NF-κB p65, and TLR4 in the kidney tissue [HIF-1α protein (HIF-1α/β-actin): 0.515±0.064 vs. 0.888±0.055, caspase-3 protein (caspase-3/β-actin): 0.549±0.105 vs. 0.958±0.054, NF-κB p65 protein (NF-κB p65/β-actin): 0.428±0.166 vs. 0.900±0.059, TLR4 protein (TLR4/β-actin): 0.683±0.048 vs. 1.093±0.097, all P < 0.05], and significantly down-regulated mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, and IL-1β [HIF-1α mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.90±0.39 vs. 9.49±1.87, NLRP3 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.07±0.21 vs. 6.13±1.32, IL-1β mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 1.43±0.24 vs. 3.95±0.51, all P < 0.05], and significantly decreased kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate [(4.36±0.92)% vs. (27.75±8.31)%, P < 0.05], and significantly increased SOD activity (kU/g: 648±34 vs. 430±47, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can alleviate kidney injury in ARDS rats, and its mechanism may be related to the increasing in SOD activity, reduction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NF-kappa B ; Actins ; Caspase 3 ; Curcumin ; Lipocalin-2 ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Inflammasomes ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Saline Solution ; Kidney ; Superoxide Dismutase

Objective:To evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of Zap-X system and CyberKnife (CK) G4 system of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for single brain metastasis.Methods:Twelve patients with single brain metastasis had been treated with CK were selected retrospectively. The prescribed dose of planning target volume (PTV) was 18-24 Gy for 1-3 fractions. The PTV was ranged from 0.44 to 11.52 cm 3. The 12 patients were re-planned in the Zap-X planning system using the same prescription dose and organs at risk constraints, and the prescription dose of PTV was normalized to 70% for both Zap-X and CK. The planning parameters and dosimetric parameters of PTV and organs at risk were compared and evaluated between two plans. All data were read at MIM Maestro. A paired Wilcoxon' signed-rank test was adopted for statistical analysis. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significance. Results:For the target coverage, CK was significantly higher than Zap-X (99.14±0.57% vs. 97.55±1.34%, P<0.01), but Zap-X showed a higher conformity index (0.81±0.05 vs. 0.77±0.07, P<0.05), a lower Paddick gradient index (2.98±0.24 vs. 3.15±0.38), and a higher gradient score index (GSI) than CK. The total monitor unit (MU) of Zap-X was significantly lower than that of CK (11 627.63 ±5 039.53 vs. 23 522.16 ±4 542.12, P<0.01) and the treatment time was shorter than that of CK [(25.08 ±6.52) vs. (38.08 ±4.74) min, P<0.01]. Zap-X had lower dose volumes than CK for the dose of brain ( P<0.05). Zap-X had a lower D mean and D max of brainstem (both P<0.05), but a higher value of eyes and lens. For optic nerves and optic chiasm, there were no significant differences between two groups. In addition, for the protection of skin (V 22.5 Gy), Zap-X seemed better than CK [(4.15±4.48) vs. (4.37±4.50) cm 3, P<0.05]. Conclusions:For SRS treating single brain metastasis, Zap-X could provide a high quality plan equivalent to or even better than CK, especially reducing the treatment time. With continuous improvement and upgrading of Zap-X system, it may become a new SRS platform for the treatment of brain metastasis.